Costa Mesa Police Brutality Lawyer

Defending Costa Mesa Citizens Against Abuse of Force

While most police officers are dedicated and honorable, some are not. We can all imagine how stressful, difficult and life-threatening the job of protecting the public is. However, police officers are also required to exercise a great deal of control over the people they interact with. This power opens up the possibility of an abuse of power since the general public is at their mercy.

We can all recognize that law enforcement officers occasionally have to use force to uphold the law and protect themselves and innocent bystanders, but that does not mean that they have unrestricted power to exercise unwarranted and extreme force. In the United States, citizens are protected against such excessive police misconduct under both the 4th and 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Use of excessive force and other misconduct by police officers seems to be occurring all across the country at an alarming rate. The personal injury lawyers at The Duque Law Firm have years of experience helping the innocent victims of police brutality pursue justice and compensation.

Examples of Police Brutality/Misconduct

Police misconduct, such as abuse of their power, unreasonable use of excessive force and entering a home without a warrant, violates the rights of individuals and exposes their department to lawsuits. Peace officers are expected to follow the law and police department procedures to protect citizens and uphold constitutional rights.

Most of us are familiar with the outrageous recordings that catch what we usually think of as “police brutality”. However, our police brutality lawyers understand that police misconduct has many different forms, including:

False arrests or unlawful stops

Racial profiling

Unnecessary use of physical force

Unnecessary and degrading strip searches

Searches without a warrant

Sexual assault or sexual misconduct with inmates

Coercion, blackmail or other uses of police power to force you into doing something you do not want to do

Police harassment

Inappropriate taser use

Shootings and wrongful death

Prison/jail injuries or deaths

What Should I Do If I Was the Victim of Police Misconduct?

Due to the power that police officers hold and the serious injury that their misconduct can create, filing a case of excessive force or misconduct can be extremely daunting.

Your first priority should always be protecting yourself and it is essential to comply with the officer’s requests as best as possible in a non-aggressive manner. While this is not always a deterrent for police brutality, it can significantly reduce your risk of injury or death. Once the incident is over, it is important to seek immediate medical attention if necessary and contact an experienced and knowledgeable civil rights attorney right away.

Seeking Compensation for Police Misconduct

Filing a civil suit against your local police department is an arduous pursuit, but an experienced attorney can make all the difference. When an officer crosses the line and uses excessive force or denies you of your constitutional rights, he/she must face consequences. There are multiple types of damages awarded in these kinds of cases, depending on the severity of the misconduct or injuries sustained.

Compensatory damages: These include damages such as lost wages (current and future), medical bills, funeral expenses in wrongful death cases, and general pain and suffering.

Punitive Damages: These damages are meant to punish the police officer for a particularly flagrant misconduct, although most municipalities are exempt.

Civil Rights Damages: If your civil rights were violated by a police officers you can seek appropriate damages for this violation.

Speak with an Experienced Costa Mesa Civil Rights Attorney

If you feel that your civil rights have been violated and you would like to seek legal action, we are here to assist you. Our Costa Mesa civil rights lawyers bring forth cases seeking justice and compensation for any injuries which victims have suffered.

Contact our Orange County Personal Injury Attorneys at 1-877-241-9554 to learn more about your legal options. A free consultation is just a phone call away. You can even use our online contact form, and we’ll reply to you quickly.